NBA Player News

Smith finished Saturday’s defeat with playoff career-highs in points and rebounds, recording his first postseason double-double. He shot 3-of-9 from beyond the arc in Game 1, with the percentage being a few points lower than his mark during the regular season (36.3 percent). Smith is one of many Rockets who benefit from Kevin Durant’s presence on the floor; the veteran scorer did not play on Saturday due to a right knee contusion. If Durant can return for Tuesday’s Game 2, it would be unsurprising if Smith offered a more efficient stat line.

Jefferson injured his ankle during the second round of the NCAA tournament and did not play in any of the Nets’ games in Salt Lake City or Friday’s win over the Knicks in Las Vegas. Despite not even participating in team practices, there is hope that the 6-foot-8 forward from Iowa State will make his summer debut on Saturday against the Hawks. Jefferson can do a little bit of everything at the forward position, which is why he worked his way into the first round of last month’s draft.

Brazile made his first summer league appearance on Friday, and he struggled to finish around the basket. The former Arkansas forward/center shot 2-of-7 from two, but he was active on the boards with a game-high 11 rebounds. Like fellow rookie Bryce Hopkins, Brazile has not finalized a contract as the Nuggets attend to other affairs, most notably Peyton Watson’s restricted free agency. With DaRon Holmes II a full year removed from his Achilles tear and Zeke Nnaji yet to pan out, there may be opportunities for Brazile off the bench, mainly as a defender and rebounder.

The 49th overall pick in the 2026 draft, Hopkins’ contract status for next season has yet to be finalized. With the Nuggets still waiting out the situation involving restricted free agent Peyton Watson, summer league takes on added importance for Hopkins as he looks to earn a standard contract or a two-way deal. Friday’s performance should help, as the former St. John’s standout shot over 50 percent from the field and was active on defense. Given his experience at the college level, Hopkins may be better equipped to help the Nuggets immediately, who remain contenders with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray on the roster.

The 31st overall pick in last month’s draft, Thornton was given a guaranteed deal by the Rockets. The rookie guard repaid that faith in his summer debut, going for a game-high 27 points. Thornton did a little bit of everything, and he committed just one turnover in his 35 minutes. The Rockets strengthened their backcourt rotation by signing Marcus Smart in free agency, so earning consistent rotation minutes could be a challenge for Thornton. However, while undersized, he’s a tough, competitive guard who can add value when on the floor.

One of the best three-point shooters in the 2026 draft class, Nickel showcased his perimeter prowess in his summer debut. The former Vanderbilt wing shot 6-of-10 from beyond the arc on Friday, standing out on a day when his Knicks teammates combined to go 3-of-29 from three. With the Knicks’ perimeter rotation returning for another title run, Nickel faces long odds of consistently cracking Mike Brown’s rotation. However, if last season indicated anything, it’s that Brown is willing to give everyone a chance throughout the season.

While the Nets were able to flip to switch offensively after halftime, the Knicks continued to struggle, shooting 28 percent from the field on the day. Dadiet’s 20 points were the team’s highest, but he needed 16 attempts to reach that total. Like Mohamed Diawara (seven points, six rebounds and one three-pointer), Dadiet is hoping to earn a shot at consistent rotation opportunities next season for the reigning champs. That makes this summer critical for both, and Friday’s performances were lacking.

Dëmin played well during the California Classic and carried that into the Nets’ first game in Las Vegas on Friday. Heading into his second NBA season, the 6-foot-9 guard has scored 20 points or more in each of his last three summer appearances. While there is a significant difference between summer league and the regular season, Dëmin has shown signs of progress as a scorer. He’s been both aggressive and efficient, a balance some young players struggle with. We’re approaching the point where it would be fair to ask whether the Nets plan to shut Dëmin down.

Playing in just his second basketball game since February, Brown got going in the second half of Friday’s 91-65 victory. With future teammates Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle sitting courtside, the rookie guard scored 16 points after halftime as the Nets pulled away. Just as encouraging for the Nets is that Brown played well alongside Egor Dëmin, who also put up 20 points in the rout. As Brown gets more game reps, he brings a level of athleticism and skill the Nets lacked at point guard last season.

Wembanyama qualified for a five-year max extension worth 30 percent of the Spurs’ salary cap, but his decision to go with a max that takes up 25 percent of the cap gives the team a little more flexibility. The 7-foot-4 phenom helped lead San Antonio to the NBA Finals this season, and at 22, Wemby still hasn’t reached his full potential. Friday’s news will remove any potential financial drama, and the Spurs can now focus on taking care of Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper in the coming years. Fantasy-wise, Wembanyama is right there with Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the most valuable players regardless of league format.

Once teammates, Herro was traded to Milwaukee as part of the deal that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. According to reports, Adebayo took issue with some of the things Herro said on social media in the aftermath of the trade, and the situation came to a head on a practice court at the Resorts World Casino in Las Vegas. Adebayo reportedly struck Herro in the face, but it’s unclear whether the NBA or NBPA will open an investigation into the incident.